The US Navy has announced plans to remove the name of prominent gay rights leader and Navy veteran Harvey Milk from one of its ships, along with potential renaming of other vessels dedicated to civil rights figures. This information was revealed through documents obtained by BBC's US partner, CBS News, outlining a timeline for the public announcement regarding the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk.
This decision comes during Pride Month in June, a significant time that commemorates the achievements and struggles of the LGBT community, coinciding with the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in 1969. Additionally, this directive appears to align with a broader initiative by the Trump administration aimed at reducing programs that promote diversity and inclusion across federal agencies.
According to Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is intended to realign the military's focus with the Trump administration's objective of reinstating a warrior culture within the armed forces. The memo indicates that Navy Secretary John Phelan will be tasked with selecting a new name for the fleet oiler, with the name change to be communicated to senior US Navy officials following a legal review.
Alongside the USNS Harvey Milk, the memo also recommends renaming other vessels such as the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, named after the late liberal Supreme Court Justice, and the USNS Harriet Tubman, named after the renowned slavery abolitionist.
Harvey Milk is celebrated as the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, having secured a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Tragically, he was assassinated just ten months after taking office. The push to rename the USNS Harvey Milk follows a directive issued by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year, which instructed military personnel to discontinue hosting events related to heritage or awareness months.
This directive has effectively prohibited the allocation of resources and manpower for events celebrating Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women's History Month, citing concerns that such initiatives could undermine unity within the military. Furthermore, President Donald Trump has issued executive orders that ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the government, making it official policy to recognize only two sexes: male and female.
Supporters of DEI initiatives argue that these programs are essential for addressing historical underrepresentation and discrimination faced by various groups, including racial minorities. Critics, however, contend that such initiatives can themselves be discriminatory. The decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships has sparked criticism from several prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In a statement to CBS, Pelosi described the renaming as a “vindictive erasure” of individuals who have fought tirelessly to dismantle barriers preventing all Americans from achieving their dreams. Additionally, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his disapproval on X, stating that Hegseth should be ashamed and urged for an immediate reversal of the decision.
